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So here we stand. On the brink of another year. As this week begins to unfold, we will all slowly get back to the routine of our daily lives and something unfortunate could potentially happen to many of us: Our dreams, expectations and resolutions will fade into the back of our memories as we become consumed with the mundane. I am here to help you prevent that. How? By encouraging you that many of those dreams will impact many lives, and reminding you to keep the important stuff at the top of your to-do list.

I don't know about you, but this year, I am going to make a conscious decision to keep those dreams at the top of my to-do list!

When we consciously decide to complete the dreams we have tasked ourselves with, the opportunities for us are endless. There are no limits.

This picture above was a prophetic painting by Jennifer Weir, one of our youth leaders at Highway. For the first sermon of 2012, my wife and I wanted to encourage the people of Highway with the Promises of what Jesus wants to do for us in 2012. My wife had 5 visions representing each aspect of Jesus' work this year, and we asked Jennifer is she would be willing to paint those visions. And in 1 week she painted the most incredible pieces of artwork!

I want to use these pictures here on this blog this week, along with much of what I shared on Sunday, to encourage all of us to go for our dreams this year. Pursue them. And see them through. No matter how big or small they may be.

Jon Acuff, Christian author and regular blogger, is doing something similar over at his blog. (Only on a much larger scale). He has dubbed 2012 as "Finish Year". The year that we finish those little or large jobs we have been wanting to do for years. I encourage you to go check out his blog, he has a lot of great advice on how to plan to finish those important tasks or dreams as well as great tools of encouragement to actually get it done!

This week, I want to use the 5 prophetic paintings in a separate blog each day to encourage us to do the same!

Remember that we are all Christ's workmanship, created by Him to do good works. Those good works aren't merely going to church or helping the poor. They are the desires that He placed on our hearts in the first place that we long to see fulfilled! From small to big: Planting your own veggie garden, traveling to another country, going on a mission trip, starting your own business, etc. They are the dreams dwelling in our hearts that when we think about them everything inside of us gets excited!

Just have a look at that picture again. When we tap into Heavenly resources, we truly are limitless! Paul was lying when he said in Philippians 4:13 that "we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength."

So the first thing I want to say to you at the outset of this year, is that every dream that you have in your heart has the potential to become a reality! Never think otherwise! Never believe the lie that those dreams and desires in your heart are unattainable. You can do everything through Christ!

Those dreams, those plans, those tasks that you so badly want to see become reality in 2012, they are extremely possible.

Make the first step. Write down what you would like to accomplish this year. And then plan when you will give time to those tasks and don't give up! Keep at it. And let's trust God together for an incredible 2012 of many dreams and desires fulfilled!

I also encourage you to check out Jon Acuff's recent blog posts about writing a "Finish List" where he dares his readers to join him in writing a "finish list"; as well as how to write a one, and every day for the month of January is giving encouragement and advice about how to realistically accomplish your goals.

I will be posting the remaining 4 prophetic paintings by Jennifer Weir each day this week, where I will use each one to encourage you to "go for it" in 2012!